CHURCH: Should get approval

I cannot believe it. Seventh-day Adventists wants to build a new church, etc., and the Commission says, NO. How can they do so? Some would think it is time for a new batch of Commissioners, but in reality it is just probable that they lack understanding.

I think that at some point all zoning laws will be judged unconstitutional as both the Fifth and 14th Amendments tell us that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law. Every person has a Constitutional right to use their property as they see fit as long as it does endanger the safety of another person.

I am not sure about Kootenai County, but in many places churches are not permitted in any zone; you must get a special use permit for a church. They are not a “permitted” use in any zone. That is an obvious violation of the First Amendment.

One thing many people seem not to understand is pretty simple: I own my own property and may generally do with it as I see fit, but I have no right to control my neighbor’s property. I do not own the view or anything else that belongs to my neighbor.

Maybe it is not too late for the Commissioners to reverse this decision. I would certainly hope so. This represents a real tragedy for our community, and a violation of our rights as Americans. Remember, this is not a NAZI country, but a Constitutional Republic.

JIM HOLLINGSWORTH

Hayden